Last Wednesday, Off Broadway hosted Milwaukee’s Field Report with Cleveland’s Shivering Timbers. The small crowd was treated to quite possibly the most adorable thing we’ll see on that stage all year – Jayson and Sarah Benn of Shivering Timbers’ daughter seated on stage playing toy piano and percussion alongside her parents with a kiddie cocktail in one hand and a small bag of Skittles in the other. Warm was the feeling that predominated the evening, beginning with ST’s sweeping, gorgeous and occasionally dark folk rock.

Christopher Porterfield’s Field Report wove a moving live set from their self-titled debut. At one point Porterfield ditched any of the half dozen or so guitars set up on stage and told us he was taking us to church, and then went full gospel preacher with a stunning, stripped down rendition of “Fergus Falls” (or was it “I Am Not Waiting Anymore”…that hole in my memory is both embarrassing and puzzling and can be explained by an extended happy hour leading up to the concert). As a performer, Porterfield switches between the persona of an old pro and a guy who can’t believe anyone showed up to see him. Either way, his sincerity legitimizes the depth of feeling wrought from the record. Field Report is a serious and calculated band, and one whose time is right now. Photos from the night below.

 

Full Field Report set on Flickr. 

Full Shivering Timbers set on Flickr.